But Colorado Representative Brittany Pettersen did not get to weigh in.
Shes about togive birthto her second child.
Despite this bipartisan support, the issue has not been brought to the House floor.
Brendan O’Hara
This story has been lightly edited and condensed for readability.
I was highly unlikely to become a member of Congress.
I was a high-risk youth.
Representative Pettersen with her son
She became wildly addicted, and it completely turned our childhood upside down.
I never paid attention to politics.
My parents never talked about voting.
I dont even think they voted.
I never thought Id run for office myself.
I never really thought about how Id juggle my personal life and running for office.
But its been the greatest gift of my life.
But of course, its going to be a lot more difficult to navigate.
It was already tough with one child and being a mom in Congress.
Now I have two.
Its a very complicated life Ive chosen.
Now Im going to have another son whos going to continue to do the same.
Its really important to me for my kids to grow up in Colorado.
Its the place that Ive lived my entire life.
But its really hard going back and forth from DC.
Its because these jobs are not set up for us.
We were not part of the design.
I know that I often get judged much differently than my male colleagues on the questions that Im asked.
I would say being a mom in Congress makes you feel guilty a lot.
I know all parents do, but mom guilt is very real.
Im not [in Congress] because I want the title.
Im there to get things done.
Im not taking time away from my family because I think its cool to be in Congress.
Im there because of the moment that were in.
Its because these jobs are not set up for us.
We were not part of the design.
In Congress, you have to actually be present to vote.
This is the way that weve done it since the beginning.
Keep in mind that people used to travel over to DC in their wagons.
Times have changed a lot since then.
Our ability to actually modernize Congress needs to be a priority.
I have a bipartisan resolution to give people in a rare circumstance the option to vote remotely.
This is a very easy approach on addressing a real issue for members of Congress that people face.
Thats what were facing right now.
Representative Pettersen with her son
Through this process, Ive heard stories from dads too.
Some who had their newborns in the NICU and were unable to be there.
They were in Washington for votes and didnt have that time with their family.
He was unable to be there in the ways that he wanted when he was welcoming his new baby.
An unlikely ally on this is [Republican Representative] Anna Paulina Luna.
Shes a very different political stripe than me, and were working together on this issue.
Im hopeful that we might actually get it done if we can find common ground.
Theres so much more that brings us together.
Its just unnecessary how toxic things have become at the federal level.
What we have is a resolution to change the House rules.
We just have to pass it in the House.
We just need leadership to support it, and we have overwhelming support in the body.
An avenue that we have to force a vote is called a discharge petition.
This is highly unlikely for anything to pass, because youre kind of challenging your own leadership.
Its why people are hesitant to ever sign on even if they agree.
We also used proxy voting during COVID.
He could still vote no, but let us vote on the floor.
Thats all were asking.
Its outdated rules, and its outdated mindsets.
She reminded me to look at what the airline restrictions are.
My heart sank, because it was just another challenge that I was going to have to figure out.
How I was going to do this and give birth and be a member of Congress?
So while these votes are happening, my voice and my constituents voices arent represented.
We have a very simple fix to see to it that people like me still have their vote counted.
Im hoping by speaking out that we actually get it done.
We can make Congress more accessible for families and regular people.
